We fear that the glittering generalities of the speaker have left
an impression more delightful than permanent.
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We fear that the glittering generalities of the speaker have left
an impression more delightful than permanent.
- Franklin J. Dickman,

The capital of the orator is in the bank of the highest
sentimentalities and the purest enthusiasms.

The capital of the orator is in the bank of the highest
sentimentalities and the purest enthusiasms.

Its Constitution--the glittering and sounding generalities of
natural right which make up the Declaration of Independence.

Its Constitution--the glittering and sounding generalities of
natural right which make up the Declaration of Independence.

If you did wed my sister for her wealth,
Then for her wealth's sake use her with more kindness:
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If you did wed my sister for her wealth,
Then for her wealth's sake use her with more kindness:
Or if you like elsewhere, do it by stealth;
Muffle your false love with some show of blindness:
Let not my sister read it in your eye;
Be not thy tongue thy own shame's orator;
Look sweet, spear fair, become disloyalty;
Apparel vice like virtue's harbinger;
Bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted;
Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint;
Be secret-false: what need she be acquainted?

It makes a great difference whether Davus or a hero speaks.
[Lat., Intererit multum Davusne loquatur an heros.]

It makes a great difference whether Davus or a hero speaks.
[Lat., Intererit multum Davusne loquatur an heros.]

With little art, clear wit and sense
Suggest their own delivery.
[Ger., Es tragt Verstand und rechter read more

With little art, clear wit and sense
Suggest their own delivery.
[Ger., Es tragt Verstand und rechter Sinn,
Mit wenig Kunst sich selber vor.]

For rhetoric, he could not ope
His mouth, but out there flew a trope.

For rhetoric, he could not ope
His mouth, but out there flew a trope.

He mouths a sentence as curs mouth a bone.

He mouths a sentence as curs mouth a bone.

When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he
answered, "Action," and which was the second, read more

When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he
answered, "Action," and which was the second, he replied,
"action," and which was the third, he still answered "Action."